Development policy and humanitarian efforts

Worldwide, one billion people are living in extreme poverty. We have a global responsibility to help people in need and contribute to long-term development and a more equitable world.

Photo: Ken Opprann/Norad

War and conflict have forced 65 million people to flee their homes. There is considerable unrest and suffering in many countries. Climate change, migration and infectious diseases are not contained by national borders.

The UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide the global framework for efforts to promote sustainable development, peace and a more equitable world. Under the 2030 Agenda, all countries, including Norway, have committed themselves to reaching goals and targets at the national level. In addition, we share an international commitment to help other countries achieve their goals.

Aid is one of several tools for fighting poverty and promoting development. Norway gives priority to areas that are particularly important for development: education, health, and job creation through business development. Human rights, gender equality, climate and environment, and anti-corruption are cross-cutting issues in Norway’s development policy.

It is important to ensure good coordination between humanitarian relief work and more long-term development efforts. We will maximise our chances of success if we focus on prevention and on reaching the most vulnerable groups. In this way, we will also reduce the need for humanitarian aid in the future.

Development policy covers far more than just aid. Trade, investments, cooperation in the areas of technology development, research and culture, and strengthening the international legal order are equally important.

AIMS

eradicate extreme poverty by 2030

ensure good governance and respect for human rights for all by 2030

contribute to rights-based implementation of the SDGs

ensure that people in need receive the necessary assistance and protection

contribute to sustainable development and help to make countries independent of aid

Support for private sector development

Over the next ten years, one billion young people will be looking for work. The private sector provides nine out of ten jobs in developing countries. This is why support for private sector development, for example through Norfund, is an important part of Norwegian development cooperation.

Fish for Development

Support for fisheries development in Kerala in southern India in 1952 marked the start of Norway’s international aid efforts. Today we are coordinating aid in this field more strategically through the Fish for Development programme. The overall objective of the programme is to reduce poverty through enhanced food security, sustainable management of resources and profitable business activities.

ACTION

promoting closer coordination between humanitarian relief efforts and long-term development

using aid to trigger private investments and create jobs

strengthening humanitarian aid and long-term development in fragile areas

helping to increase the opportunities available to women and girls, and to promote their right to self-determination, and further their empowerment

focusing on girls’ education, education in situations of crisis and conflict, and on providing better quality education

playing a leading role in efforts to improve maternal health and reduce child mortality, and to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases

investing in renewable energy with a view to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions

providing around 1 % of GNI a year for development and humanitarian efforts.

Combating illicit financial flows and corruption

National income generation, taxation, and combating illicit financial flows and corruption are far more important for development than aid. Illicit financial flows from developing countries total USD 1.26 trillion a year. In comparison, global aid is around USD 120 billion.

Maternal and child health

Norway recognises the importance of education for maternal and child health. Girls who go to school and gain an education tend to marry and have children later. Education for girls and women is therefore crucial for improving maternal health and reducing child mortality.